NFL-DEFLATED FOOTBALLS-BRADY
Brady’s agent strikes back
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) β Tom Brady’s agent is firing back after the quarterback was implicated in the report on the deflated football scandal.
Don Yee says the report prepared by NFL-appointed investigator Ted Wells was “a significant and terrible disappointment.”
The 243-page report found that two Patriots employees violated rules covering game balls, and that Brady was “at least generally aware” of the plans to doctor the footballs to his liking. The report found some of Brady’s claims were “implausible,” adding: “It is unlikely that an equipment assistant and a locker room attendant would deflate game balls without Brady’s knowledge and approval.”
Yee says the report “reached a conclusion first, and then determined so-called facts later” after deflated footballs were discovered being used during New England’s AFC Championship game win over Indianapolis. He charges that Wells’ firm makes a lot of money from the NFL and put out a report that benefits the league.
Yee didn’t elaborate on how blaming the NFL’s biggest star for the embarrassing story that dominated the news in the run-up to the Super Bowl helped the league.
The Patriots defeated the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and Brady was the MVP.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Astros go with McHugh to end losing skid
UNDATED (AP) β The Astros are back on the road and it may be a relief. They travel to open a series against the Angels tonight after being swept in a three-game series by Texas. That came on the heels of a 10-game winning streak and dropped the American League’s top team to .500 at home. They are 10-2 on the road. Houston goes with Collin McHugh to get them back to winning. He’s 4-0 this season and has won his last 11 decisions dating back to August.
On the other hand, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is still looking for his first win of the season. Cleveland’s Corey Kluber takes an 0-4 mark and 4.62 ERA to the mound for his start at Kansas City. The Royals handed Kluber one of his losses last month.
Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett tries again for his first win of the season when he starts the finale of a three-game series against visiting Cincinnati. Burnett is 0-1 in five starts despite a 1.45 ERA that ranks second in the NL. He has also allowed no more than one run in four straight starts for the first time in his 17-year career.
San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Hudson looks to improve on his 15-4 career mark against the Marlins in the opener of a four-game series with Miami at AT&T Park. Hudson faced the Marlins regularly with Atlanta and has won his last six starts against them. He’s coming off his first win of the season.
There are 11 games on the major league schedule.
MLB-NEWS
Votto facing penalties
UNDATED (AP) β Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto (VAH’-toh) could be facing a fine and suspension after making contact with plate umpire Chris Conroy during an argument Wednesday night. After striking out swinging against the Pirates, Votto flung his bat and helmet. He then said something to Conroy and was ejected.
Votto charged toward Conroy and the two bumped chests before Reds manager Bryan Price could intervene.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig (yah-SEEL’ pweeg), on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, is expected to be the DH in the minors. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly watched video Wednesday of Puig and says it looked like he was running hard.
The Tampa Bay Rays expect to learn more about Alex Cobb’s arm injury after returning to Florida for an eight-game homestand. The Tampa Bay Times reported this week that he has a partial ligament tear in his elbow. The newspaper said Cobb will try to pitch through it after receiving platelet-rich plasma therapy. If that is unsuccessful, he would need Tommy John surgery, according to the report.
NBA-PLAYOFFS
NBA is dark
UNDATED (AP) β After 19 straight days of playoff action, the NBA takes a break tonight. All four conference semifinal series are tied at a game each. Play resumes Friday night with the Bulls hosting Cleveland and the Clippers at home against Houston.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Lightning, Blackhawks look to sweep
UNDATED (AP) β Tampa Bay tries to nudge Montreal over the brink of elimination tonight on the heels of last night’s stunning Game 3 win over the Canadiens. Tyler Johnson’s goal with 1.1 seconds left lifted the Lightning to a 2-1 win and 3-0 lead in the series. Should the Lightning close out the series, that would give them a perfect 9-0 mark against Montreal this season.
Chicago also has its sights set on a sweep when it takes on the Wild on the road tonight. The Blackhawks are trying to knock Minnesota out of the playoff for the third consecutive year.
In NHL history, 180 teams have fallen behind 3-0 in a playoff series. Only four of them rallied to advance. That includes the Kings last year, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
GOLF-THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Tiger, McIlroy head up field
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) β Two-time champ Tiger Woods is in the field. So is top-ranked Rory McIlroy and No. 2-ranked Jordan Spieth (SPEETH). First-round action at The Players Championship is underway at TPC Sawgrass with its intimidating par 3, island-green 17th hole.
Woods is playing for the first time since finishing tied for 17th at the Masters. It’s only his second tournament since taking a self-imposed break from competition to work on his game. He’s in a group with defending champ Martin Kaymer (KY’-mur).
McIlroy is coming off a win last week at the Match Play Championship. He plays in a group with Masters champ Spieth and Jason Day for the first two rounds of the tournament.
